MIAMI - Patriots owner Robert Kraft yesterday guaranteed the team will spend to the salary cap in an effort to improve a squad that fell one minute short of the Super Bowl.

“We’re always going to spend to and over the cap,” Kraft said yesterday at the Super Bowl following a press conference by commissioner Roger Goodell. “We’re not one of those teams that puts the money in our pockets. We’re committed to spending.”

The Patriots began the 2006 season with roughly $10 million in cap space, the result of failed contract negotiations with Ty Law and Deion Branch. When those players ended up elsewhere, the Pats went to Plan B, spreading their money around to Richard Seymour , Dan Koppen and others.

The result was a club that may have lacked reinforcements, but at the same time had positioned itself to make a run in 2007. The Patriots could have as much as $30 million in salary cap space to play with in free agency, giving them a chance to chase an impact player like Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas.

“In terms of spending, you have to look where we are at the end of the season, not the beginning,” Kraft said. “With all due respect to my friends in the media and the fans, they don’t understand the intricacies of the cap. You look where we were at the end of the year and where we’ll be next year, and it will be the same thing.

“We’re different than some teams. We’re not just planning for this year. We’re trying to be good for a number of years. Our management team has shown over the last four to five years that wise planning has allowed us to stay in the hunt.”

When Kraft looks back at 2006, he sees much to like. The Patriots finished 12-4, the third-highest victory total in franchise history. They won a playoff game for the fourth straight season, something no other team can claim in that span. And though they fell short of the Super Bowl, it wasn’t by much.

“Our performance this year, with the challenges we faced, was one of the best since we’ve owned the team,” he said. “Believe me, no one’s more disappointed than I that we’re not playing in this game. We had our shot, but if you think back over the year, with the injuries we had, the field, and everything that went on and we ended up 14-5, I mean, man. That’s a pretty good accomplishment.”

Kraft has plenty of reasons for optimism. In addition to the salary cap space, the Patriots also own two first-round picks in the 2007 draft and 12 picks total, all of which can be used to complement a veteran core built around quarterback Tom Brady and an outstanding defensive line.

“I’m very excited about the future of this team,” Kraft said. “We’re in a pretty good position with the salary cap. We have two picks in the bottom of the first round, which is really one of the best strategic points in terms of value.

“The first eight or 10 picks you have to pay so much, it’s like signing an unrestricted veteran player who has proven himself. Unless the player is a great player, that can affect how you manage your cap.”

In the end, Kraft said, his management team led by head coach Bill Belichick and personnel man Scott Pioli will continue doing everything it can to keep the Patriots in contention, and that includes spending.

“We want to make sure our fans understand we have a fixed budget,” he said. “Sometimes we make decisions that people can’t relate to as fans. Believe me, I understand that. I can assure our fan base that every decision we make is to put us in the best position to win games.

“With our cap position, draft situation, and the group of people we have running things, I’m excited about next year. We have a tougher schedule, but that’s part of the privilege of being successful. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.” (and I believe we will spend wisely too)jtomase@bostonherald.com

We should spend too, we need to get a #1 CB badly, if we dont we wont make the playoffs next year. We need to sign either Samuels or Clements..We also need to get a DE. Plus a pass rushing specialist. Bigger d-line. We also need a good redzone target since we really dont have a good one. I would say we should sign Daniel Graham, him and Baker would make a very respectable TE duo...

Every team is going to spend this offseason in FA due to the extra cap space afforded to each team by the new CBA. There aren't going to be many cap casualties and June 1st cuts because of the new cap.If Baker where utilized more and our OLine afforded Chad a little more time then he would be a top redzone target so I don't think TE needs to be addressed except for perhaps bringing in a backup. CB should definitely be targeted through FA as drafting one would mean the rookie would have to adjust to the rigours of the NFL and would in most cases not be able to contribute early on. Guard and RT should also be looked to be addressed when FA begins.

Every team is going to spend this offseason in FA due to the extra cap space afforded to each team by the new CBA. There aren't going to be many cap casualties and June 1st cuts because of the new cap.If Baker where utilized more and our OLine afforded Chad a little more time then he would be a top redzone target so I don't think TE needs to be addressed except for perhaps bringing in a backup. CB should definitely be targeted through FA as drafting one would mean the rookie would have to adjust to the rigours of the NFL and would in most cases not be able to contribute early on. Guard and RT should also be looked to be addressed when FA begins.

Im just saying Graham, because Graham is a amazing blocker too. It would be a advantage to us to have 2 good TEs that both can catch and block. Ryans can block, but he isnt a good recieving threat. I agree though, CB has to be our #1 priority in the FA, because there is 2 #1 CBs in Clements and Samuel, and drafting one wouldnt be good because there isnt alot of depth in the draft there. I think they should sign Dielman or Steinbach for OG. Both are good guards and are young.

Im just saying Graham, because Graham is a amazing blocker too. It would be a advantage to us to have 2 good TEs that both can catch and block. Ryans can block, but he isnt a good recieving threat. I agree though, CB has to be our #1 priority in the FA, because there is 2 #1 CBs in Clements and Samuel, and drafting one wouldnt be good because there isnt alot of depth in the draft there. I think they should sign Dielman or Steinbach for OG. Both are good guards and are young.